I'm new to this forum, found it via google "People Chow". I know it is an old topic, but I have had this idea for some time myself. I do think a great product could be developed (but why involve the government?!). It is such a great idea that private enterprise should be able to develop and sell this product with great success world wide. I think some of the recently developed protein bars are trying to get there. But this would be a completely healthy, tasty food that provides all the components that nutrition scientists identify as needed for a healthy human diet (assuming this is possible, which I think it is), and which has a reasonable shelf life not requiring refrigeration or cooking. Ideally there could be different "flavors" and as with pet foods, there probably would be an ingredient that makes it especially palatable. Correct serving size information would be provided.

Here is a list of potential uses in addition to the food stamp idea and others already mentioned:
- quick lunch or snack at work
- any meal when you don't have time to prepare something
- way better than any breakfast cereal on the market
- perfect diet food for weight control
- hiking/camping food
- emergency food when disasters strike
- the only food served in prisons

When a friend of mine came to the New York City area for the first time, I introduced him to the potato knish as a "food unit", which is how I've always thought of it. One square of food. Need more food? Consume more units. Need flavor? Add mustard.

bbgrower wrote:I'm new to this forum, found it via google "People Chow". I know it is an old topic, but I have had this idea for some time myself. I do think a great product could be developed (but why involve the government?!). It is such a great idea that private enterprise should be able to develop and sell this product with great success world wide. I think some of the recently developed protein bars are trying to get there. But this would be a completely healthy, tasty food that provides all the components that nutrition scientists identify as needed for a healthy human diet (assuming this is possible, which I think it is), and which has a reasonable shelf life not requiring refrigeration or cooking. Ideally there could be different "flavors" and as with pet foods, there probably would be an ingredient that makes it especially palatable. Correct serving size information would be provided.

Here is a list of potential uses in addition to the food stamp idea and others already mentioned:
- quick lunch or snack at work
- any meal when you don't have time to prepare something
- way better than any breakfast cereal on the market
- perfect diet food for weight control
- hiking/camping food
- emergency food when disasters strike
- the only food served in prisons

You could use Lara Bars, saurkraut or pemmican and all would work but they're completely different and would likely appeal to different people. If you have n nutritional experts, you will have n different opinions as to what constitutes a "healthy human diet ". The criteria "a reasonable shelf life not requiring refrigeration or cooking" eliminates almost all other healthy food.

Stu Ward
_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

stuward wrote:If you have n nutritional experts, you will have n different opinions as to what constitutes a "healthy human diet ".

Nope, n+1. They have to have a manager.

And if you have m journalists, that makes (n+1)m possible interpretations of the perfect diet.

Stu Ward
_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

"Potato chips and soda are relatively affordable, accessible and filling.

“You can buy calories very cheaply, but it’s hard to buy nutrition cheaply,”"

Stu Ward
_________________
Let thy food be thy medicine, and thy medicine be thy food.~Hippocrates
Strength is the adaptation that leads to all other adaptations that you really care about - Charles Staley
_________________
Thanks TimD

Here at our hospital we've just lately gotten something called "Plumpy Nut" bars. They have a consistency that is a little thicker than peanut butter, and a flavor that is mid-way between peanut butter and chewable vitamin tablets. Sort of chemically-tasting. They are intended to provide extra protein to kids who are protein-malnourished. They are supplied by the Clinton Foundation, in case anyone can think of a fitting joke at this point. There is very little calorie deficiency here, as there is plenty of rainfall and plenty of land for gardens. But some kids get plenty of calories from veggies, but little protein. Some kids seem to like the Plumpy Nut, others refuse it. It seems a bit like the People Chow idea, except that it's a bit heavy on the protein. Baby Chow.

Our greatest fear should not be of failure, but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter.--Francis Chan